Adidas Agravic Alpha Shield Hoodie

Just got mine. Addidias used a very breathable face fabric that is unlike any pertex quantum I have at home . Maybe there is some new pertex quantum air!?! The arms are more like a true quantum and totally windproof in the front face and then stretch highly breathable on the backside. The back is designed with a similar stretch and highly breathable materal. the front literally feels like something in between 7d nylon and a well worked worked tyvek (soft but strong). you can blow right through the chest fabric and feel the wind get stuck in the alpha layer - very cool. Its soft and uber sheer (But the alpha underneath blocks any See through concerns). I was surprised that the innerside was also covered with this breathable material as I expected the alpha had to be open to your skin or baselayer to work its magic. anyway whatever this new variant of pertex quantum air is on the front face is very interesting. Lastly the alpha covers the front shoulders which I find well adapted. Usability: limited experience - I used it on a bike ride of 20 miles on the Chicago water front when the temp dropped from 80 to 45 in ten minutes. This item performed very well at both extremes. Of note this hood is great for hikers (fits under the Helmet so no extra bulk and weight). The hood draw string is arxteryx style in design. One concern: I have already gotten the zippers stuck in the pocket front material twice because it is so so light. I think that will need to be fixed with a 1/4 inch of a higher denier columned nylon around the pocket zippers. Areas it could save weight: zippers are much to big. They could go to number 3s. Double hemline draw cord adjuster, really only needs one on one side.

It's says 50 gsm polartech alpha. That makes sense From what I can find on line. There are 3 alpha variants fabrics available in production, this is the lightest - see link below. http://www.milldirecttextiles.com/fullrollseries.asp?dept=34&id=1716035810525425337173

So I was trying to look up pertex's "quantum air" fabric to see what's up with breathability - I agree with you in principle. It's def not listed on the pertex website and no mentions of it in backerlightforums. It's possible this is a typo. Further more, shield and air wouldn't make sense together given their different goals. Lastly, the only mention I found was a blogpsot discussing a new subgroup of quantums (Pro, and Air) but no sources were identified. So I'm at a loss. If this a gossamer light 7-12d variant I could have a very high cfm which would be awesome. I can't imaging the denier being higher than 15 given a quated weight of 6-7oz with the alpha. It would be nice to hear from pertex or addidas on the subject. Full disclosure - I purchased one here.